Horse of the Year set for broodmare career but Arc hero races on – plus world #1 Ka Ying Rising ‘ready to rumble’ in Everest … all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Thorpedo Anna retirement announced
USA: Thorpedo Anna, the reigning Horse of the Year, has been retired to the paddocks as a broodmare at John Sikura's Hill ’n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa near Paris, Kentucky.
Trainer Kenny McPeek announced the news on Wednesday [Oct 15]. “For everybody out there that's worried about her, you can rest at ease – she's fine,” he said. “She has been examined by several veterinarians. Dr. (Larry) Bramlage of Rood and Riddle found some very mild bone bruising, which is consistent with horses in work at her level, and she could go back to training in 90 days, but we have opted to retire her.”
Thorpedo Anna was 12 of her 16 career starts, among them seven G1 events including last year’s Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff. A 20 per cent share will be offered at the Keeneland Championship Sale on Oct 29 at Del Mar. More here
Arc hero Daryz to stay in training
France: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz will stay in training next year as a four-year-old after his thrilling victory in Europe’s richest race.
“Daryz has taken his race very well and is in good form following his top-class performance,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager of the Aga Khan Studs in France.
“He is a beautiful horse who resembles his sire [Sea The Stars] and has a great constitution. He progressed throughout the season and we are very much looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish next year.” More here
Pacemaker for Ombudsman in Champions Day clash
GB: Connections of Juddmonte International winner Ombudsman will employ a pacemaker in the Qipco Champion Stakes, the highlight of a Champions Day card featuring no fewer than five G1 events at Ascot on Saturday [Oct 18].
Devil’s Advocate, a stablemate of the big-race favourite at John & Thady Gosden’s Newmarket yard, has been supplemented to the £1.3m contest at a cost of £75,000. French-trained First Look has also been added to a spectacular clash involving King George winner Calandagan plus Economics and Delacroix, the last two winners of the Irish Champion Stakes. More here
On the other hand, last year’s Ascot winner Anmaat has been retired. More here
Ka Ying Rising ‘ready to rumble’ in Everest
Australia: World #1 racehorse Ka Ying Rising will break from gate seven in a 12-runner field for the Everest, the world’s richest turf race at Randwick in Sydney on Saturday [Oct 18] when the Hong Kong superstar will bid for his 14th successive victory.
Trainer David Hayes was more than satisfied with the draw. “Perfect – jump fast and get a good position – that’s a good barrier,” said the trainer. More here
Hayes was also delighted with Ka Ying Rising’s final gallop on Monday [Oct 13] ahead of the A$20m ($13m/£9.72m) event. “I think he’s ready to rumble,” he said. “I’m very confident we have him at his best and it will take a good horse to beat him on Saturday.”
Hayes was speaking in the wake of what he labelled “fake news” after a social media account was reportedly hacked and suggested the gelding had fitness and eating issues and might even be scratched. More here
Saudi Derby added to Kentucky Derby points series
USA: The Saudi Derby, set to be held in Riyadh on Feb 14, features among three new races to be added to the ranks of Kentucky Derby points races.
The UAE 2,000 Guineas and the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes (formerly the Al Bastakiya) will also now be part of the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby series, offering qualifying points towards the first Saturday in May.
“These additions deepen our international pathway to the Kentucky Derby and extend the Derby brand into two of the sport’s most dynamic markets,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated. More here
• Hong Kong: Saudi Cup rematch the aim for Romantic WarriorMore here
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Jacques le Marois winner Diego Velazquez retired to National Stud More here
GB: Jim Crowley could be ‘in a wheelchair for three months’ after York fall More here
Australia: Via Sistina misses Melbourne Cup – but 53 others confirm entry More here
Australia: Breeders’ Cup winner Moira is retired More here
Australia: Caulfield Cup barrier draw More here
Japan: American Pharoah shuttles to Japan for 2026 season More here
Japan: Kamunyak bids for second Classic in Shuka Sho More here
Saudi Arabia: Racing returns to Riyadh More here
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